But on Thursday, a bipartisan group of lawmakers filed a last-minute bill to spend more money — on themselves.

Senate Bill 1558, sponsored by Republican Sen. David Livingston of Peoria along with a dozen other senators from both parties, would significantly increase daily allowances for lawmakers.

For rural lawmakers, the rate would be would be tied to the federal per diem rate for Maricopa County, an increase of more than $100 a day from current rates.

The rate could be up to $185 per day for rural lawmakers.The average lodging rate set by the United States General Services Administration for Maricopa County is $129 per day, and the meal and incidentals rate for the county is $56 per day, according to the bill’s fact sheet.

Lawmakers can't increase their salaries on their own. They need voters to approve any salary increases at the ballot box. Voters have refused to do that many times over the years, most recently in 2014.

They don't need to ask voters to increase the per diem rate, however, and money for that could come from boosts the House and Senate are seeking for their budgets.

The Senate wants an additional $3.7 million, which Senate President Karen Fann, R-Prescott, previously said would go toward staff costs. The House asked for $2.5 million more, which could be used for capital improvements and improved accessibility, the House spokesman said.

The bill was unanimously approved by two Senate committees and now heads to caucus and then to the Senate floor for a final vote, where it’s expected to pass given the number of lawmakers who have signed onto it.

If the bill is signed by Gov. Doug Ducey, it wouldn’t help any lawmakers this session. It would take effect 90 days after the session ends, like most other bills, and provide a boost starting next year.

Sen. Jamescita Peshlakai, D-Cameron, is a cosponsor of the bill. She said her district is likely the farthest away from the Capitol and the largest legislative district in the country.

“One of the things that has really plagued the district is the turnover in representatives and senators,” Peshlakai said. “There’s a lot of people, citizens in the district, that could be capable and willing to serve had it not been for the fact that the pay is so little and there’s so much work to be done.”

The low pay means many people can only afford to run if they’re already wealthy, she said, edging out people who would be more representative of the state’s population. She said her take-home pay last year, after costs were taken out for insurance, was about $19,000.

People assume that because of the title, she’s living a “life of leisure,” she said. But in reality, Peshlakai sleeps on her sister’s couch in Mesa during session.

“Public service shouldn’t be a life of hardship for elected leaders,” she said.

Sen. Kate Brophy McGee, R-Phoenix, one of the bill's cosponsors, said she was confident the bill would move forward and that it was needed, especially for lawmakers from rural areas like Peshlakai.

Brophy McGee said she wants to ensure this increase specifically applies only to lawmakers who have to drive from places as far as Lake Havasu or the Navajo reservation.

“I don’t care what they do for in-towns. I mean, really, I texted her this weekend asking if she could talk and she said, ‘I’ll be in cell phone range in 30 minutes.’ That’s how remote it is.”

Sponsor: Why not?

Livingston, the bill's sponsor, said all he and the dozens of cosponsors want is a “very fair” compensation for all 90 members, not just rural lawmakers. This rate aligns the Legislature with federal guidelines that most businesses and agencies use.

“In Arizona, almost all agencies use it,” Livingston said.

“The question I asked was, ‘Why aren’t we using it and why haven’t we been using it?'”

Livingston stressed he and other lawmakers don’t see this as “more pay” for them, but a higher compensation for things they need like paying for gas, wear and tear on their cars and food. This new rate would be added to the $24,000 base salary state lawmakers receive for a part-time job — one that they are 30 days overdue for finishing this year.

“I know it’s a sexy bill maybe for the reporters to write about it and talk about it,” Livingston said.

“But to me it’s a pretty boring thing that should have been done a long time ago.”

Reach reporter Rachel Leingang by email at rachel.leingang@gannett.com or by phone at 602-444-8157, or find her on Twitter and Facebook.